Positive change in J-K atmosphere: Interlocutor

New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The three-member group ofinterlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir, appointed by the Centre inOctober last year, today said that there has been a positivechange in the atmosphere in the state.

"There is positive change in the atmosphere in Jammuand Kashmir. Many encouraging things are happenings. Lots ofchanges have taken place and lots of good things have takenplace," one of the interlocutors M M Ansari said after ameeting with Home Minister P Chidambaram.

He said that during the meeting, the group discussedabout the action taken by central and state governments on thethree reports it submitted earlier.

The interlocutors in their reports submitted the"broad contours" for a lasting solution to the Kashmir issuefor consideration by the government.

The Centre has sent "some" of its recommendations tothe state for necessary action.

"Action has been initiated on the recommendations.

Some recommendations have been sent to the state governmentfor necessary action. Some are under implementation," the HomeMinistry said in a statement earlier.

In its report, the group recommended expediting casesof undertrials, permitting peaceful protests and releasingmilitants and protesters against whom there are no seriouscharges, among others.

The group also recommended training of securityforces, identifying jobs for young men and women in centraland state government offices, announcing scholarships forKashmiri students, enhancing monetary assistance to widows andorphans, efforts to trace missing persons and increasingmonthly allowances to Kashmiri Pandits, the ministry said.

The interlocutors - Ansari, a former InformationCommissioner, eminent journalist Dileep Padgaonkar andacademician Radha Kumar - will visit the state for the fourthtime from January 17.Asked whether, the group has given any suggestion tothe government for the change of name of the posts of Governorand Chief Minister in J-K, Ansari replied in the negative.

"Whatever appeared in newspapers was nothing but mediaspeculation," he said.